Swing flap for the entry and exit of pets

ABSTRACT

A swing flap ( 10 ) for the entry and exit of pets comprising a frame ( 11 ), which can be fixed to an opening ( 12 ) made in a door or a wall, equipped at the top with hinged means of constraint for a flap ( 20 ), and a first function selector ( 30 ), designed to control the opening and closing functions of the swing flap ( 10 ), this selector comprising a knob ( 29 ) integral with a first pair of elements ( 31, 32 ) being shaped in such a way to allow, respectively: the opening of the flap ( 20 ) in a first direction;
         the opening of the flap ( 20 ) in a second direction, opposite to the first direction;   the opening of the flap ( 20 ) in both directions;   blocking of the opening of the flap ( 20 ).
 
The first selector ( 30 ) is kinematically connected to a second selector ( 36 ), not equipped with a knob but with a second pair of elements ( 31′, 32′ ) which control the opening and closing of the flap ( 20 ) depending on how the knob ( 29 ) is turned.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention concerns a swing flap for the entry and exit of pets.

More specifically, the invention refers to a swing flap for the entryand exit of medium-large size pets, with a structure that allows it tobe fitted to the doors or walls of houses.

This invention can be applied in the industry for the production ofarticles for pets.

BACKGROUND ART

The use of swing flaps fitted to doors to allow the independent exit andentry of pets without having to continually open and close the door,also to prevent any damage to the door as a result of scratching andknocks made by the animals, is a known fact.

An opening is generally made in the door, close to the ground, borderedby a support frame equipped at the top with pins designed to act ashinges for the flap to swing open as a result of the pressure exercisedby the animal and close by means of gravity.

It is currently possible to use flaps connected to servomechanisms, forexample a linear actuator, which can be controlled by special electronicunits that can receive a signal from a transmitter on the collar of theanimal wishing to pass through the flap, thus preventing undesiredentries and exits.

Current background art also includes solutions that foresee the use ofelectromagnetic devices consisting of a reed switch and a diode on acircuit which is closed by the entry or exit of the pet wearing a collarfitted with a magnet.

According to other known embodiments, a transponder interacts with anelectronic control unit which, by means of actuators, regulates thepossibility of opening or closing the flap.

In these cases too, therefore, closure of the circuit enables themovement of one or more actuators which open or close the flap.

According to the background art, the swing flap is equipped with afunction selector which ensures a number of possibilities and inparticular the opening can be permitted:

-   -   for entry into the house only,    -   for exit from the house only,    -   for both entry and exit,    -   for neither entry nor exit.

This selector usually consists of a knob which is integral withvariously shaped elements designed to block the flap directly.

One disadvantage is represented by the fact that, especially if the flapis meant to be used by large animals, only one knob fitted with ablocking device is not sufficient to resist strong pushes in the longterm.

Solutions that foresee several knobs with respective blocking devices atthe sides of the flap would tend to complicate the selection by theuser.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention aims to provide a swing flap that can eliminate orsignificantly reduce the drawbacks described above.

This invention also proposes to provide a swing flap which is easy tomanufacture and can be produced at a low cost, thus being economicallyadvantageous.

Another aim of this invention is to provide a swing flap which isuniversally applicable to any door or wall.

This is achieved by means of a swing flap for pets with the featuresdescribed in the main claim.

The dependent claims described advantageous embodiments of theinvention.

The swing flap for pets according to this invention comprises a frame,which can be fixed to an opening made in a door or a wall, equipped atthe top with hinged means of constraint for a flap, and a first functionselector, equipped with blocking elements and designed to control theopening of the flap, kinematically connected to a second selectorequipped with identical blocking elements.

According to this invention, the first selector consists of a knob,easily accessible to the user, integral with the said variously shapedblocking elements which control the opening and closing operations ofthe flap.

These selectors are preferably housed in the frame close to the freeportion of the flap.

The kinematic connection between the selectors can be achieved by meansof a toothed belt engaging with the toothed wheels integral respectivelywith the selector and the blocking device or devices.

Alternatively, this kinematic connection can be achieved by means of atrain of gears or by articulated systems controlled by the selector.

The first selector can be motor-driven, receiving energy from anyappropriate source and presenting an external pushbutton to enable it.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description of an embodiment of the invention, providedpurely as a non-restricting example, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a front elevation of a flap according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged schematic side elevation of a first selectorequipped with a knob;

FIG. 3 is a front view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged schematic side elevation of a second selectorequipped with a knob;

FIG. 5 shows a front view of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF A FORM OF EMBODIMENT

In the figures, the reference number 10 indicates in general a swingflap, in the case in question a swing flap 10 for medium-large sizepets.

The flap 10 comprises a frame 11 positioned and fixed inside arespective opening made in a door or a wall of a house which separatesan internal space from an external space.

The frame can consist of an internal half shell and an external halfshell, cooperating reciprocally and with at least one fixed to the dooror wall, presenting the respective passageways.

The upper portion of the passageway of the internal half shell presentshinged means of constraint for a flap 20 designed to close thepassageway.

The hinged means of constraint can consist of housings designed, inaction, to accommodate respective pins integral with the upper part ofthe flap 20.

In this way the flap 20 is free to swing from a closed position of thepassageway to an open position to allow pets to pass through.

The internal half shell presents a first selector 30 equipped with aknob 29 which is hinged to it and easily accessible to the user frominside the house. The first selector 30, housed in a respective cavityof the lower portion of the frame, is fitted with a pair of variouslyshaped elements 31, 32 (FIGS. 2 and 3) designed to act as blockingdevices.

The first selector 30 is also equipped with a toothed cylinder 33positioned between the two eccentric elements 31, 32.

By turning the knob 29 the elements 31, 32 can be positioned in such away to allow or prevent the opening of the flap 20.

The operation of the first selector 30 by means of the knob 29 is thusable to ensure a number of possibilities of use of the swing flap 10 andin particular the opening of the flap 20 can be allowed:

-   -   for entry into the house only,    -   for exit from the house only,    -   for both entry and exit,    -   for neither entry nor exit.

The lower portion of the frame 11, inside the inner half shell, presentsa chamber designed to connect the cavity containing the knob 29 with asecond cavity designed to contain a second selector 36 (FIGS. 4 and 5).

The second selector 36 is similar to the first selector, in turnpresenting variously shaped elements 31′, 32′ connected by means of atoothed cylinder 33′ integral with them.

According to this invention, the two selectors are kinematicallyconnected by means of a toothed belt 37 concealed inside the chamber 34.

Turning the knob 29 of the first selector 30 causes an immediate andcorresponding rotation of the second selector 36. In the closedposition, with the eccentric elements 31, 32, 31′, 32′ projecting insidethe compartment, this offers greater and uniform resistance to thepressure which may be exercised by an animal against the flap 20 even ifthe pressure is on only one side of the flap.

According to another form of embodiment of the invention, there can alsobe several selectors, reciprocally connected and distributed around thecompartment.

According to a variation not shown in the drawings, the kinematicconnection between the selectors can be achieved by means of a geartrain or by articulated systems controlled by the first selector.

Additionally, the first selector can be power-driven, receiving energyfrom any appropriate source and presenting an external pushbutton toenable it.

The invention is described above with reference to a preferredembodiment. It is nevertheless clear that the invention is susceptibleto numerous variations within the framework of technical equivalents.

1. A swing flap for the entry and exit of pets comprising a frame, whichcan be fixed to an opening made in a door or a wall, equipped at the tophinges of constraint for the flap, and a first function selector,designed to control the opening and closing functions of the swing flap,this selector comprising a knob integral with a first pair of elementsacting on both sides of the flap being shaped in such a way to allow,respectively: the opening of the flap in a first direction; the openingof the flap in a second direction, opposite to the first direction; theopening of the flap in both directions; blocking of the opening of theflap, wherein the first selector is kinematically connected to a secondselector, not equipped with a knob but with a second pair of elementsacting on both sides of the flap, whereby the rotation of said knobinduces a simultaneous and coordinated rotation of both selectors. 2.The swing flap according to claim 1, wherein the kinematic connectionbetween the first selector and the second selector is achieved by meansof a toothed belt engaging with toothed wheels integral respectivelywith the first selector and the second selector.
 3. The swing flapaccording to claim 1, wherein the kinematic connection and the secondselector are concealed inside the frame.
 4. The swing flap according toclaim 1, wherein the first selector is power-driven, receiving energyfrom any appropriate source and presenting an external pushbutton toenable movement thereof of the first selector.